Chapter Seventy

December 21, 2029, Winter Solstice, Heavy Snow.

I was lucky enough to meet a kind old lady today. She not only let us into her house to warm up but also cooked dumplings for us—cabbage and pork dumplings, which were delicious. Due to the heavy snow, our interview had to be postponed by a day. I hope the snow will stop soon. But I just heard the old lady say that a good snow promises a good harvest next year. Hearing this, I hope the snow doesn't stop but can at least clear a path for us.

The person involved in this case is someone whose college admission quota was replaced in 2002. According to the information, the person went out to work after failing the college entrance examination. Three years ago, he was injured in an accident at a construction site and broke his leg. When he returned home to recuperate, he unexpectedly learned that he had passed the exam that year, but someone had impersonated him.

I chatted briefly with this person on WeChat, and I found that he wasn't actually very angry. His words weren't filled with complaints or resentment; on the contrary, he was very calm. In the few voice messages he sent me, I could hear his easygoing nature, which was strange, and I found it strange too. My colleague said he might have been driven mad with anger, probably.

I don't know how to put it. Perhaps only by meeting the person involved can I know the truth.

Light Snow on December 22, 2029

The snow was lighter today, but it still didn't clear a path for us to leave. A kind old lady made us a plate of braised rabbit. The rabbit was frozen beforehand, and it tasted pretty good. It was my first time eating rabbit, and it wasn't too unpalatable. I didn't feel guilty while eating it. Looking at the falling snow outside, I was still a little anxious, so I kept chatting with my client, hoping he wouldn't find me annoying. Over the years, my colleagues have always said I'm a heartless person, not patient enough with those I interview, and even somewhat condescending and judgmental.

I think she's right. I should correct these flaws. Even though I've seen a lot of filthy and corrupt people, and even though I understand that the ratio of good to bad people in this world is roughly the same, I should still believe that everyone I meet is a good person. Only by adhering to this belief can I meet people who will always believe in me. As a journalist, empathy is very important. In this respect, I need to learn more from my colleagues.

December 23, 2029, Sunny

Finally, the snow stopped. I was writing in my diary when my colleague suddenly pulled me out of it, so I had to rewrite today's entry. As for the entry I just wrote, my colleague said it was a bit sentimental, so she tore it up. She also warned me not to write in my diary that she was a colleague, as it sounded too distant.

But that's not actually the case. I don't think the term "colleague" is unfamiliar. I'm a reporter, and she's a reporter too. I know I'm excellent, and only excellent people can be my colleagues. So, "colleague" means recognition. But I don't plan to tell her that because it's fun to tease her.

December 26, 2029, Sunny

I ran into some trouble a few days ago and didn't have time to write in my diary. We encountered a poaching incident. Because we witnessed them poaching, they pointed their guns at us, and I instinctively raised my camera. My colleague later asked me what I was thinking at the time, that I dared to take pictures. I told her that I saw a tranquilizer dart coming out of the gun, which gave me the courage. My colleague looked at me in disbelief, and I laughed.

Many animals in the forest hibernate, but some still endure the winter's hunger and cold, giving these despicable creatures an opportunity. Fortunately, the poachers were driven away. I believe nature stands on the side of the good creatures; otherwise, the word "justice" wouldn't exist.

The man who rescued us was named Guang Sheng. We followed Guang Sheng back to Grandma's house. Grandma knew Guang Sheng, and that's when I learned that Guang Sheng was actually a wildlife photographer. He always traveled all over the world to photograph various rare wild animals and had also provided illustrations for animal books. It was truly a remarkable profession, very free yet with great responsibility.

December 29, 2029, Sunny

We finally met our client, Mr. Xue Sheng. He was gentler than I had imagined. He wrapped his gray coat tightly around himself and reached out his hand to me. I saw that his hands were covered in red chilblains, and I felt a surge of anger. I hate it when people interfere in other people's lives. I believe that people can do anything, but they cannot arbitrarily do things about other people's lives. I was angry.

Heavy snow on New Year's Day, January 1, 2030

I saw Yu Xi, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. I saw that he was doing well. We greeted each other, and he smiled at me. I missed him so much.

This must be the shortest diary entry Zhou Mo has ever written. Closing the diary, she looked up at the window. It was completely dark outside. A yellow lamp hung outside her window, illuminating that small space so she could clearly see the falling snowflakes.

Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared outside the window. The shadow gradually approached the window and gradually revealed its true form. Zhou Mo saw Yu Xi tap on the frosty window with his finger.

She picked up the white down jacket from the chair and went out the door, while Yu Xi stood in the snow wearing a camouflage cotton-padded coat.

Although we met today, we were all together and they didn't have a proper conversation.

It's late at night now, a perfect time to reminisce about the past.

"It's cold, isn't it? Have you never been to such a cold place before?" Yu Xi said, and casually stuffed a hot water bottle filled with hot water into Zhou Mo's arms. Zhou Mo didn't stand on ceremony and stuffed the hot water bottle into her clothes, and the warmth slowly spread.

"Yeah, it is quite cold."

"I heard from the old lady that you've come to seek justice for others?"

"It's not that exaggerated. We're here to record the truth. In ancient times, we were called folk historians."

Yu Xi and Zhou Mo exchanged a smile. So many years have passed, yet nothing seems to have changed between them, as if the unpleasant things that happened five years ago never existed.

"Wildlife photographer, you're so cool, Yu Xi."

"Just to clarify, I didn't do this just to be cool."

"I understand, it's for freedom."

Zhou Mo and Yu Xi both bent over, their arms resting on the railing, their movements synchronized.

Upon hearing Zhou Mo's reply, Yu Xi's lips slowly curled up, then fell back into a straight line.

"I knew you would understand me."

Zhou Mo glanced at him sideways, said nothing, and just chuckled.

The two didn't talk much more, but gazed at the dark distance together like old friends.

“I heard from your master that when you see poachers, the first thing you do is grab your camera. Zhou Mo, you should change your ways.”

These words sound like advice, but they also sound more like a mixture of helplessness and pride.

As the person who knows Yu Xi best in the world, Zhou Mo understood Yu Xi's meaning without even thinking. She turned around, leaned against the railing, and exhaled, "That won't do. This is my most valuable skill as a reporter. Without courage, I am nothing."

No, not exactly.

You can also be the head of my household.

Yu Xi never said those words aloud.

He was the first to say goodbye, so he had no right to say anything about cherishing or trying to win her back.

Moreover, they are all doing well now, living lives they choose without compromising. Happiness is never a product of constraint, but a treasure that comes naturally from the heart.

Yu Xi could sense that Zhou Mo was very happy now.

After interviewing the parties involved, Zhou Mo had to rush back to the city to write her article and continue interviewing other departments about their investigation results. She couldn't stay there long, and she would continue to interview other people and about other things to uncover more truths.

Yu Xi's journey will not stop here. The world is too big. The sky, the jungle, the lake, the ocean, and many animals are waiting for him to photograph and discover.

Perhaps one day in the future, they will meet again like today, a truly unexpected encounter, a true reunion.

Or perhaps this was the last time they would ever meet, but it didn't seem like a pity. They already knew how the other was doing, and their last meeting was also a happy one.

Goodbye, Zhou Mo.

I hope you will always have the courage to take control of your own life.

Goodbye, Yu Xi.

I wish you health, happiness, freedom, and good luck forever.